Projects

PCS has been working with Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC) over the last two years to undertake a number of studies as part of their Sustainable Sediment Management (SSM) Project.  The SSM Project has been developed with the aim of finding long term solutions for the management of sediment from maintenance dredging in the Port of Gladstone (PoG).  The studies undertaken by PCS include:

• Analysis of historical bathymetric data and development of a conceptual sediment budget;
• Gap analysis and sampling strategy;
• Assessments into avoiding and reducing sedimentation and maintenance dredging; and
• The review, analysis and interpretation of all data collected as part of the Project.

Results from these assessments have been used to assist in the development of a quantitative sediment budget by PCS which quantifies the main sediment sources, sinks and transport pathways.  The budget has a particular focus on sediment suspended by maintenance dredging activity, the placement of maintenance dredge sediment at the disposal site and ongoing sediment management activities for the PoG.

Further information on the GPC SSM Project in addition to links to our reports can be found here.

PCS worked with Wavelength Consulting to provide data analysis and numerical modelling services to inform the concept design stage for the Maria Creek Sustainable Infrastructure Project for Kingston District Council.

The study relates to the management of a boat ramp facility within Maria Creek, which over recent years has incurred untenable maintenance costs.  These costs relate to maintaining the integrity of the existing training wall structures and access following periods of high seagrass wrack and sediment build up in the Creek.  The Council is seeking to identify a long-term solution that is financially sustainable and can be delivered through an affordable capital solution.  Further details on the project can be found on the Council’s website in this factsheet here.

The scope of work undertaken by PCS included analysis of baseline metocean conditions to provide an understanding of the sediment transport processes and how they vary spatially and temporally in the study area.  Numerical modelling tools were applied to assess the implications of four different concept design options at Maria Creek on the hydrodynamics, waves, sediment transport and potential for wrack build-up.

PCS supported Swash Project Delivery Pty Ltd by sourcing metocean data to assist with assessing any potential impact on dredging operations due to shallow channel depths, strong winds and large waves at the placement area for the West Crab Island Channel Dredging Project located in the Gold Coast Broadwater.

PCS developed an auto-download and plotting tool to capture and present water level, rainfall, wind speed and wind direction data recorded at the Gold Coast Seaway and wave height and wave direction from the Gold Coast Waverider Buoy.  Plots presenting metocean conditions were provided to the client on a weekly basis for the duration of the dredging program.

For more information on the project check out the latest news from the Gold Coast Waterways Authority here and see their factsheet here.

NQBP has commissioned PCS to assist with aspects of their Sustainable Sediment Management Projects at the Ports of Mackay and Abbot Point. Key components of the studies have included analysing historic bathymetric data to better understand sedimentation, developing a conceptual understanding of the dominant sediment transport processes, undertaking dredge plume dispersion modelling and assessing possible solutions to avoid or reduce sedimentation within the Ports. Findings from the studies will help to inform NQBP’s Long-term Maintenance Dredging Management Plans (LMDMPs) for the Ports. It is a requirement of the Maintenance Dredging Strategy that each Port within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area develop a LMDMP which is aimed at creating a framework to allow continual improvement in environmental performance.

NQBP has commissioned PCS to undertake a series of studies at the Port of Weipa and at Amrun Port. The studies will form part of NQBP’s Sustainable Sediment Management assessment for the Ports, which are aimed at informing whether sedimentation can be managed to avoid or reduce the need for maintenance dredging. The studies being undertaken by PCS include:

• A bathymetric analysis to quantify bathymetric changes;
• Developing a quantitative sediment budget for the area;
• Constructing interactive predictive sedimentation models; and
• Assessing engineered and technological solutions to reduce or prevent sedimentation in the dredged areas of the Ports.

Port and Coastal Solutions (PCS) is working with the Queensland Ports Association (QPA) as part of the Reef 2050 Long Term Sustainability Plan. QPA is leading Water Quality Action 17 (WQA17) of the Plan, which is aimed at better understanding port sediment properties and how maintenance dredging may interact and contribute to broader catchment contributions within the World Heritage Area. PCS is undertaking a peer review of the key deliverables for the project and is also providing technical assistance, as required. This has included assisting in developing an approach to predict the contribution of suspended sediment from maintenance dredging relative to natural sediment resuspension.

Port and Coastal Solutions (PCS) is working with North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) to assist in the Hay Point Maintenance Dredging Project. The work being undertaken by PCS forms part of a larger investigation being undertaken by NQBP, to support their application for future maintenance dredging at the Port of Hay Point. The work has included the analysis and processing of measured water quality data, to define locally relevant thresholds for the range of environments in the region. In addition, PCS has been involved in the numerical modelling of natural and dredging related sediment transport to better understand any potential impacts due to dredging.